Two Hyenas Face Off Against a Pack of Wild Dogs Over Lunch

Captured in a fascinating YouTube video posted by the Pondoro Game Lodge is a showdown between African wild dogs and spotted hyenas. Although the hyenas outmatch the wild dogs in size, they are way outnumbered. The Pondoro Game Lodge, located in South Africa, caught the amazing footage as a pack of African wild dogs harass two spotted hyenas near a watering hole.

Where Did This Video Take Place?

The video was posted by the Pondoro Game Lodge, which is a luxury safari lodge located within the Balule Nature Reserve and the Greater Kruger National Park of South Africa. At the lodge, guests can head out in safari vehicles driven by expert rangers where they get a closer view of the animals in the reserve, like what we see in the video.

The Pondoro has a blog where they list the latest animal sightings that have occurred. Some of the most recent animal sightings reported include lions, white rhinos, black rhinos, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and wild dogs.

Who Had the Upper Hand in the Video? Hyenas or Wild Dogs?

Wild dogs are much smaller than hyenas, and had it been a one-on-one situation, it would have looked quite a bit different. African wild dogs weigh around 40 to 80 pounds, while hyenas weight will range between 90 to 190 pounds. Hyenas may be taller as well, reaching a height of three feet at their shoulders. Wild dogs, on the other hand, usually don’t reach more than two and a half feet at their shoulders.

When you watch the video you can see that every time a single wild dog gets too close to a hyena, the hyena will snap at it, sending it back toward its group. The strength of the wild dogs against the hyenas is in their numbers. If the hyenas had the rest of their pack with them, the wild dogs likely wouldn’t have challenged them.

How Were the Hyenas Protecting Themselves?

Hyenas in fear will crouch down, tucking their tails between their legs. They communicate with other members of their group through a variety of sounds that can be heard from as far as three miles away. If other members of their pack hear their call, they run in for reinforcements.

Why Were the Wild Dogs Fighting the Hyenas in the Video?

Did you spot the birds dive-bombing the fighting dogs and hyenas in the video? These may be plovers with nests nearby on the ground. Because their nests are easy for predators to find, and are only protected by camouflage, these birds can be noisy and aggressive when an animal or human is near. They will swarm intruders that venture close to their nests. Perhaps the fight between the dogs and hyenas was triggered by the plover nests in the area. The hyenas may have wandered into a pack of wild dogs hunting the plover nests for food.

Wild Dogs Vs. Hyenas: Hunting Strategies

Wild dogs and hyenas hunt for similar prey, which puts them at odds in competition for resources. Both are carnivores and will eat animals such as impala, rodents, snakes, and warthogs. However, hyenas are more likely to scavenge, while wild dogs tend to hunt fresh prey.

Both wild dogs and hyenas have similar hunting strategies and will hunt cooperatively as a group. Wild dogs live in packs of about 20 led by a male and female breeding pair. Hyenas also live in packs, but they are often larger in numbers and may contain up to 80 individuals. Their packs are led by one dominant female.

Hyenas are much more aggressive with each other than wild dogs. Wild dogs work closely together and rarely squabble amongst each other, even over killings. Hyenas, on the other hand, often fight with each other over a kill. Hyenas are also known to steal another animal’s meal and will scavenge a kill from wild dogs if they have large enough numbers to take on the dogs.

It’s Common for Hyenas and Wild Dogs to Clash

National Geographic tells a story of wild dogs hunting impala. One dog took down its prey and left for a minute to call other members of the pack over to share the feast. However, in the few minutes the wild dog left its food, a hyena showed up to steal it. The pack of wild dogs returned to chase off the hyena. But the hyena returned with five other pack members to fight for the food. It’s common for hyenas and wild dogs to compete for resources across southern Africa. Unless the dogs outnumber the hyenas, the hyenas will generally have the advantage.